ABC misses out on final leaders’ debate; key independents back call for robodebt inquiry – as it happened

Opposition leader Anthony Albanese waits to address the Labour day rally at the RNA showgrounds in Brisbane on day 22 of the 2022 federal election campaign. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

10.00am BST

What we learned: Monday 2 May

With that, we will wrap up the blog for the evening. Amy Remeikis will be back bright and early tomorrow. With all eyes on the Reserve Bank, it’s likely to be another busy day.

Here were today’s major developments:

• The opposition leader, Anthony Albanese, spent Monday marching in Brisbane’s Labour Day parade alongside Queensland premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, and secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, Sally McManus. Labor officially announced it would match the Coalition’s senior health card announcement.
• Meanwhile, Scott Morrison fronted the media in Geelong, where he batted away a potential interest rates rise to be determined by the Reserve Bank tomorrow, telling reporters “it’s not about politics” while also acknowledging “it’s always hard” to buy a first home – “but last year, 164,000 Australians did”.
• The third and final debate between the pair has been secured by Channel Seven this evening, to be chaired by Mark Riley and to air at prime time on 11 May.
• Robert Sisilo, Solomon Islands’ high commissioner to Australia, said the countries had endured “testing times” since the draft security deal between Solomon Islands and China was leaked in March, but affirmed that Australia remained the “partner of choice” for the Pacific country.
• And Labor’s call for a royal commission into the robodebt scandal has won the support of lower house independents, Indi MP Helen Haines and Clark MP Andrew Wilkie.

Updated at 10.04am BST

9.57am BST

Meanwhile, the deputy leader of the Nationals party David Littleproud has been in Casino, announcing $6m for major agriculture events.

I wish I had been a fly on the wall when someone suggested taking the group photo in front of the somewhat comical cow statue.

Proud to be in Casino to announce $6m to support some of our country’s biggest ag events.

Casino’s Beef Week, LambEx & Hort Connections will all benefit from this.

They’ll use it to grow their events & show off Australian ag! 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/IMOeW991Os

— David Littleproud MP (@D_LittleproudMP) May 2, 2022

Updated at 10.01am BST